1.) Photographer- Marion Post Wolcott
Created/published- October 1939
2.) This photograph was taken in Memphis, Tennessee. It is outdoors and it sometime in the afternoon. The lighting is bright and it is an urban setting.
3.) There are about four people in this photograph, all who are adults. Their clothes look like business suits and almost all of them are wearing hats. Also, all of the people in this picture are African American. What catches my eye first and is the most distinguished feature is the sign that says “the best service for colored only.”
4.) In the photograph, it shows business called, Hotel Clark. The business is in a decent enough condition to continue business. The spacing is not very large because it is an urban setting and there is never much spacing. The business is surrounded by many people on the streets.
5.) The tone of this photograph is somewhat heavy and sad. The message that it brings is also negative because of the sign that says “the best service for colored only.”
6.) My response to the photograph is that this photo best represents what life was like when there was discrimination and segregation. In cities, there were so many signs that said “white only” or, like this sign in the photo, “the best service for colored only.” That is what life basically was back then. Signs that told you where to go based on the color of your skin. This photo, and many others like this, makes me sad because I guess I just can’t believe that people would judge you on the color of your skin.
7.) One question that I would ask the photographer is how did you find this business? The second question that I would ask is did the business owners mind you taking the photo of their business?
1.)Photographer- Ester Bubley Created/ published- September 1943 2.)The setting is outdoors in I would have to say the afternoon. The lighting is semi-bright and it is an urban area 3.)There are many people in the photograph. An estimate would probably be more than 50. There are many adults but some children. A lot of the people’s clothing look like work clothes, others look like every day clothes that they would wear at that time. What catches my eye first and is probably the most distinguished feature is the white waiting room sign.
4.) In this picture, it looks like it is some type of bus stop. The condition of this bus stop is pretty good considering that it is a public place and used daily. There is barely any spacing because it is crowded by many people.
5.) The tone in this photograph is light because its just showing a bunch of people around a bus stop, however, what can make the tone heavier is the sign that says “white waiting room.”
6.) This photograph is showing people’s everyday lives going to the bus stop. What makes me think is that I wonder if people ever really stopped and looked at those signs that say “White waiting room” or “for colored,” and thought what this world was coming to. Because when you really think about it, that is very sad, and while I was looking at the picture I knew that when both African American and white people get on that bus, the African Americans will have to sit in the back, while the whites sit in the front.
7.) One question that I would ask the photographer is, did the people in photograph know you were taking a picture of them? The second question I would ask is, what made you want to take a picture at this bus stop?
1.)Photographer- Dorothea, Lange Created/published- June 1937 2.)This picture was taken outside. I would say that this is an urban setting and the lighting is bright. It is during the day in the afternoon in Memphis, Tennessee 3.)There are no people in this picture, but what catches my eye first and what is the most distinguished feature is the sign that says for colored, meaning for only African American people. 4.)In the photo, it shows a business called Bryant’s Place, which I believe is some type of restaurant or store. This business looks like it’s not in great condition, but good enough to continue business. There is not large spacing in the photo and the business is not surrounded by much, just a sidewalk and it looks like almost a dirt road. 5.)The tone is somewhat sad in the photo. I think that it is very sad how, back then; people had to be separated due to the color of their skin. This picture also sends a negative message because it’s saying that people are judged by the color of their skin. 6.)My response to this photo is that it must have been very difficult for African Americans to be judged on the color of their skin. In this photo, that one little sign that said “for colored” showed what the African Americans went through back then and how they were treated. It makes me sad to see a photo such as this because I cannot even imagine going through that. 7.)One of the questions that I would ask the photographer is what made you take the photo at this certain business? The second question that I would ask is how did the business owners feel about you taking a picture of their business?
Michael
1. John Vachon, 1938 April.
2. This photo is taken in Halifax, NC. This is an urban area and it was taken during the day.
3. There is one African American boy who could be around ages 13-15. He is wearing dress pants and a nice white dress shirt. The first thing that catches my eye is the sign that clearly states "COLORED", meaning only African Americans can drink out of that poor water fountain.
4. There is a courthouse-looking building with columns. There is also a run down brick building next the drinkning fountain.
5. This photo has a negative tone because the boy appears to be angry. I would be angry to, though, if I had to live through that segregation.
6. My response to this that society is wrong. You shouldn't segregate someone because of the color of their skin. Also you shouldn't give a group the "short end of the stick" just because they aren't the same color as you.
7. The first question I would ask the photographer is, "What is the building in the background?". The second question I would ask the photographer is, "What is the brick building next to the little boy?".
1. Bubley, Esther 1943 September.
2. This is photo was taken outside and has pretty good lighting.
3. There are no people in this picture, but there is an eye catching sign that cleary states: "Colored Wating Room".
4. In this picture there is part of a Greyhound Bus Depot. There is another building in the photo that appears to be in good condition.
5. This picture has a neutral tone, but it has a negative message because of the message on the sign.
6. My response is now they have to be in a whole different room. This building is a Greyhound Bus Depot, but there is apparently a different room for African Americans. Segregation was so strong that they couldn't even get on the bus in the same place.
7. The first question I would ask the photographer is, "Do the blacks have to get on a different bus than the whites?". The second question I would ask the photographer is, "Where do the African Americans have to enter tha building?".
1. Birney, Montana, August 1941.
2. This photograph was taken inside a tavern or bar of some sort. The lighting must be good because I can read the sign easily.
3. There are no people in the picture, but the thing that catches my eye is that the sign doesn't say, "No beer to blacks" but rather "No beer to Indians" meaning African Americans weren't the only people segregated.
4. The picture is taken inside a building and there are no other visible buildings in this picture.
5. The tone of this photo is neutral.
6. This picture shows everyone that not only were African Americans segregated, but any non-caucasians were also wrongly segregated, like the American Indians.
7. The first question I would ask the photographer is, "What type of building is this sign inside of?". The second question I would ask the photographer is, "What is being sold at the counter?".
Zach
Lee, Russell Nov, 1939
The setting of this photograph is Waco, Texas. It is outdoors and was taken during the day. It looks to be more urban area.
The only thing in this photograph is a sign promoting “The Gem Theater Exclusive Colored Theater”. This single sign, though, represents many of the attitudes and feelings during this period. Since it is alone in the picture it both catches my eye first and is the photo’s most distinguishing feature.
The only structure in the picture is a movie theater. It seems to be in very go condition. I can’t tell how large the building is or what is around it from the photograph.
The tone of the photo is pretty heavy and dark. It is both sad and frustrating that even movie theaters are separated by color.
My response is a sense of unfairness. The African-Americans did nothing to deserve this poor treatment. Also, the white law-makers have no right to be treating them in such an unfair way.
One question I would ask is what kind of movies were currently playing at the theater at the time. I would also ask how many of each type of theater (colored or white) there was in the town.
Wolcott, Marion Post June, 1939
The setting is outdoors, on the side of a road in South Carolina. It is during the day in a pretty rural area.
There are no people in the photo. There is a sign that reads “Bienville Inn, Cabins for Colored.” There is also a cabin to the right side of the picture. The sign catches my eye first, because it is more in the foreground, but the cabin is the distinguishing feature because it is bigger.
The structure featured in the photo is a run-down cabin. It is in pretty sad shape and could use some serious renovations. There are woods and trees around the cabin.
The tone of this photograph is heavy and dark because although the sign suggests use, the cabin looks almost abandoned. It is also sad to see the sign that says colored. These people shouldn’t be treated like this. It’s almost like they’re viewed as a different species.
This picture makes me pretty mad because the cabin for the African-Americans is in terrible condition. They don’t deserve this appalling treatment. It is infuriating and completely unfair.
One question I would ask is why the photographer felt this was deserving of a picture. I would be interested in their perspective. Another question would be if any one was in the cabin at the time.
Shahn, Ben, Aug, 1938
This picture was taken out doors during the day. It was in Lancaster, Ohio. It appears to be an urban area.
There aren’t any people in the picture. The only thing is the wall of a restaurant and a sign on the wall. It reads “We Cater to White Trade Only”. Since the sign is essentially by itself it is both the distinguishing feature and eye-catcher of this photo.
The structure featured in the photograph is a restaurant. It looks to be in good condition. I can’t see the area around the building.
The photo has a dark, negative air to it. The sign’s statement is depressing and saddening. These people think they’re better than the African Americans.
My response to this photograph is unhappiness. It is outrageous that the white people of this period think they are superior to the African-American because of their skin color. I can’t imagine what would spur these people to think this way.
One question I would ask would be what kind of restaurant it was. Secondly, I would ask the owner why they put that sign up, and why they hate African-Americans so much.
Caitlin
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1. Bubly, Esther September 1943
2. The setting of this photograoh is outside at a train station in Memphis, Tennesee. The lighting is partially shaded because the people are under an overhang. The areas not under an overhang are bright, indicating that it is daytime. This is an urban area.
3. There are many people, too many to count. The people that are visible are adults of all ages. Most of them, from what I can see, are wearing dress clothes. They are African American and Caucasian. I noticed that this picture was taken from a higher point than from where they were standing and none of them even looked at the camera or seemed to notice that it was being taken.
4. This picture was taken under an overhang at a bus station. It looks to be in good condtion. The overhand doesn't seem big enough for all of these people. It looks very crowded. I see several buses surrounding the overhang.
5. This photograph has a negative tone. There is a discriminating sign that clearly states only white people are welcome. This is a terrible thing.
6. Seeing this picture made me feel sorry for the African-Americans during this time period. They did nothing to deserve this treatment. However, despite the sign, I see African-Americans as well as whites in the waiting area. This made me wonder how the people were getting along and if any white people said anything to the African-Americans about how they aren't supposed to be there.
7. If I could ask the photographer any two questions, I would ask:
a) Why are there African-Americans in the waiting room with white people?
b) Where was this photograph taken from?
1. Siegel, Arthur May 1943
2. The setting of this photograph is outside in Baltimore, Maryland. It is light outside because it must be daytime. This is an urban area.
3. In this photograph, I see a waterfountain labled for "whites". It is up against a building. One of the windows are broken. There are no people here.
4. The water fountain is located against some kind of building. It looks like it might have been an industrial business. They might sell soup there sometimes because the word "soup
is painted on one of the windows. The building is in poor condition. Surrounding the building, I can see part of a rail and garbage can.
5. The tone of this photograph is cold and mean. Segrigating even small things such as water fountains show how foolish people were.
6. When I saw this picture it made me question how people thought back then. What could they have possibly been thinking to separate blacks' and whites' water fountains? This picture symbolizes the lack of feeling for others and also the lack of thought that actually went into these laws.
7. If I could ask the photograoher two questions, I would ask:
a) Where was this located?
b) What was this place used for?
1. Delano, Jack May 1940
2. The setting of the photograph is outisde in Durham, North Carolina. It is light outside because it is daytime. This is in an urban area.
3. This photograph is a street scene. I see several cars and two bikes. I see three white girls. They look to be teenageers. They seem like they are talking to one another, so I would assume that they are friends. They are wearing skirts and blouses.
4. In this picture there are many buildings because this was taken in a town or city. They look to be in good condition. The buildings are right next to one another with maybe a small allyway separating them. Surrounding the structures are the roads, cars, lamps, people, and whatever else happens to be in that city.
5. The tone of this picture is light and cheery, but the sign on the door stating that only white ladies are welcome symbolizes the darkness of that time period. This looks like a beautiful day on the town, but the discrimination completely ruins it. 6. Seeing this picture made me feel angry towards the people making the discrimination laws. If I were a black lady at that time, I would be so hurt upon seeing that sign. I can't even imagine how awful African-Americans must have felt. Signs like these were all over the place, and they probably didn't feel welcome most of the time. Also, it made me realize that the signs that were only welcoming white people seemed attatched to nicer buildings and objects than those attatched to black buildings and objects. This era is certainly a shameful time in American history.
7. If I could ask the photographer two questions, I would ask:
a) Where was the door leading to that stated "white ladies only"?b) Who are the girls in this picture?
Kathryn
1.) Photographer- Marion Post Wolcott
Created/published- October 1939
2.) This photograph was taken in Memphis, Tennessee. It is outdoors and it sometime in the afternoon. The lighting is bright and it is an urban setting.
3.) There are about four people in this photograph, all who are adults. Their clothes look like business suits and almost all of them are wearing hats. Also, all of the people in this picture are African American. What catches my eye first and is the most distinguished feature is the sign that says “the best service for colored only.”
4.) In the photograph, it shows business called, Hotel Clark. The business is in a decent enough condition to continue business. The spacing is not very large because it is an urban setting and there is never much spacing. The business is surrounded by many people on the streets.
5.) The tone of this photograph is somewhat heavy and sad. The message that it brings is also negative because of the sign that says “the best service for colored only.”
6.) My response to the photograph is that this photo best represents what life was like when there was discrimination and segregation. In cities, there were so many signs that said “white only” or, like this sign in the photo, “the best service for colored only.” That is what life basically was back then. Signs that told you where to go based on the color of your skin. This photo, and many others like this, makes me sad because I guess I just can’t believe that people would judge you on the color of your skin.
7.) One question that I would ask the photographer is how did you find this business? The second question that I would ask is did the business owners mind you taking the photo of their business?
1.) Photographer- Ester Bubley
Created/ published- September 1943
2.) The setting is outdoors in I would have to say the afternoon. The lighting is semi-bright and it is an urban area
3.) There are many people in the photograph. An estimate would probably be more than 50. There are many adults but some children. A lot of the people’s clothing look like work clothes, others look like every day clothes that they would wear at that time. What catches my eye first and is probably the most distinguished feature is the white waiting room sign.
4.) In this picture, it looks like it is some type of bus stop. The condition of this bus stop is pretty good considering that it is a public place and used daily. There is barely any spacing because it is crowded by many people.
5.) The tone in this photograph is light because its just showing a bunch of people around a bus stop, however, what can make the tone heavier is the sign that says “white waiting room.”
6.) This photograph is showing people’s everyday lives going to the bus stop. What makes me think is that I wonder if people ever really stopped and looked at those signs that say “White waiting room” or “for colored,” and thought what this world was coming to. Because when you really think about it, that is very sad, and while I was looking at the picture I knew that when both African American and white people get on that bus, the African Americans will have to sit in the back, while the whites sit in the front.
7.) One question that I would ask the photographer is, did the people in photograph know you were taking a picture of them? The second question I would ask is, what made you want to take a picture at this bus stop?
1.) Photographer- Dorothea, Lange
Created/published- June 1937
2.) This picture was taken outside. I would say that this is an urban setting and the lighting is bright. It is during the day in the afternoon in Memphis, Tennessee
3.) There are no people in this picture, but what catches my eye first and what is the most distinguished feature is the sign that says for colored, meaning for only African American people.
4.) In the photo, it shows a business called Bryant’s Place, which I believe is some type of restaurant or store. This business looks like it’s not in great condition, but good enough to continue business. There is not large spacing in the photo and the business is not surrounded by much, just a sidewalk and it looks like almost a dirt road.
5.) The tone is somewhat sad in the photo. I think that it is very sad how, back then; people had to be separated due to the color of their skin. This picture also sends a negative message because it’s saying that people are judged by the color of their skin.
6.) My response to this photo is that it must have been very difficult for African Americans to be judged on the color of their skin. In this photo, that one little sign that said “for colored” showed what the African Americans went through back then and how they were treated. It makes me sad to see a photo such as this because I cannot even imagine going through that.
7.) One of the questions that I would ask the photographer is what made you take the photo at this certain business? The second question that I would ask is how did the business owners feel about you taking a picture of their business?
Michael
1. John Vachon, 1938 April.
2. This photo is taken in Halifax, NC. This is an urban area and it was taken during the day.
3. There is one African American boy who could be around ages 13-15. He is wearing dress pants and a nice white dress shirt. The first thing that catches my eye is the sign that clearly states "COLORED", meaning only African Americans can drink out of that poor water fountain.
4. There is a courthouse-looking building with columns. There is also a run down brick building next the drinkning fountain.
5. This photo has a negative tone because the boy appears to be angry. I would be angry to, though, if I had to live through that segregation.
6. My response to this that society is wrong. You shouldn't segregate someone because of the color of their skin. Also you shouldn't give a group the "short end of the stick" just because they aren't the same color as you.
7. The first question I would ask the photographer is, "What is the building in the background?". The second question I would ask the photographer is, "What is the brick building next to the little boy?".
1. Bubley, Esther 1943 September.
2. This is photo was taken outside and has pretty good lighting.
3. There are no people in this picture, but there is an eye catching sign that cleary states: "Colored Wating Room".
4. In this picture there is part of a Greyhound Bus Depot. There is another building in the photo that appears to be in good condition.
5. This picture has a neutral tone, but it has a negative message because of the message on the sign.
6. My response is now they have to be in a whole different room. This building is a Greyhound Bus Depot, but there is apparently a different room for African Americans. Segregation was so strong that they couldn't even get on the bus in the same place.
7. The first question I would ask the photographer is, "Do the blacks have to get on a different bus than the whites?". The second question I would ask the photographer is, "Where do the African Americans have to enter tha building?".
1. Birney, Montana, August 1941.
2. This photograph was taken inside a tavern or bar of some sort. The lighting must be good because I can read the sign easily.
3. There are no people in the picture, but the thing that catches my eye is that the sign doesn't say, "No beer to blacks" but rather "No beer to Indians" meaning African Americans weren't the only people segregated.
4. The picture is taken inside a building and there are no other visible buildings in this picture.
5. The tone of this photo is neutral.
6. This picture shows everyone that not only were African Americans segregated, but any non-caucasians were also wrongly segregated, like the American Indians.
7. The first question I would ask the photographer is, "What type of building is this sign inside of?". The second question I would ask the photographer is, "What is being sold at the counter?".
Zach
Caitlin
1. Bubly, Esther September 1943
2. The setting of this photograoh is outside at a train station in Memphis, Tennesee. The lighting is partially shaded because the people are under an overhang. The areas not under an overhang are bright, indicating that it is daytime. This is an urban area.
3. There are many people, too many to count. The people that are visible are adults of all ages. Most of them, from what I can see, are wearing dress clothes. They are African American and Caucasian. I noticed that this picture was taken from a higher point than from where they were standing and none of them even looked at the camera or seemed to notice that it was being taken.
4. This picture was taken under an overhang at a bus station. It looks to be in good condtion. The overhand doesn't seem big enough for all of these people. It looks very crowded. I see several buses surrounding the overhang.
5. This photograph has a negative tone. There is a discriminating sign that clearly states only white people are welcome. This is a terrible thing.
6. Seeing this picture made me feel sorry for the African-Americans during this time period. They did nothing to deserve this treatment. However, despite the sign, I see African-Americans as well as whites in the waiting area. This made me wonder how the people were getting along and if any white people said anything to the African-Americans about how they aren't supposed to be there.
7. If I could ask the photographer any two questions, I would ask:
a) Why are there African-Americans in the waiting room with white people?
b) Where was this photograph taken from?
1. Siegel, Arthur May 1943
2. The setting of this photograph is outside in Baltimore, Maryland. It is light outside because it must be daytime. This is an urban area.
3. In this photograph, I see a waterfountain labled for "whites". It is up against a building. One of the windows are broken. There are no people here.
4. The water fountain is located against some kind of building. It looks like it might have been an industrial business. They might sell soup there sometimes because the word "soup
is painted on one of the windows. The building is in poor condition. Surrounding the building, I can see part of a rail and garbage can.
5. The tone of this photograph is cold and mean. Segrigating even small things such as water fountains show how foolish people were.
6. When I saw this picture it made me question how people thought back then. What could they have possibly been thinking to separate blacks' and whites' water fountains? This picture symbolizes the lack of feeling for others and also the lack of thought that actually went into these laws.
7. If I could ask the photograoher two questions, I would ask:
a) Where was this located?
b) What was this place used for?
1. Delano, Jack May 1940
2. The setting of the photograph is outisde in Durham, North Carolina. It is light outside because it is daytime. This is in an urban area.
3. This photograph is a street scene. I see several cars and two bikes. I see three white girls. They look to be teenageers. They seem like they are talking to one another, so I would assume that they are friends. They are wearing skirts and blouses.
4. In this picture there are many buildings because this was taken in a town or city. They look to be in good condition. The buildings are right next to one another with maybe a small allyway separating them. Surrounding the structures are the roads, cars, lamps, people, and whatever else happens to be in that city.
5. The tone of this picture is light and cheery, but the sign on the door stating that only white ladies are welcome symbolizes the darkness of that time period. This looks like a beautiful day on the town, but the discrimination completely ruins it. 6. Seeing this picture made me feel angry towards the people making the discrimination laws. If I were a black lady at that time, I would be so hurt upon seeing that sign. I can't even imagine how awful African-Americans must have felt. Signs like these were all over the place, and they probably didn't feel welcome most of the time. Also, it made me realize that the signs that were only welcoming white people seemed attatched to nicer buildings and objects than those attatched to black buildings and objects. This era is certainly a shameful time in American history.
7. If I could ask the photographer two questions, I would ask:
a) Where was the door leading to that stated "white ladies only"?b) Who are the girls in this picture?